This can’t have been an easy task.
Frank Lampard has selected a combined XI from Chelsea’s 2004/05 title winning season, and the current side, who have just won the Premier League.
Lampard was part of Jose Mourinho’s team 12 years ago, when they won their first league title in 50 years. That Chelsea side are widely regarded as one of the best to grace England football.
They only lost one game, and conceded just 15 goals, finishing the season with a phenomenal 95 points.
Lampard was named player of the year that season, and played alongside most of the current team. So, he is in a privileged position to judge the merits of both teams.
The 38-year-old former England midfielder selected five players from Antonio Conte’s team (five if you include John Terry, who played for both sides).
Here’s his combined team:
Petr Cech starts in goal, and Lampard opted for a back four, rather than the back three that Conte has used to such great effect this season.
“I played with [William] Gallas, [Ricardo] Carvalho and [John] Terry in that team, and they were so strong,” Lampard told the Premier League.
“I didn’t want to change that too much, but I just had to get [Cesar] Azpilicueta in there. I think he’s been brilliant in his seasons at Chelsea. He’s improving all the time, professional, can do that solid right-back job. He’s one of the best in the world.”
In midfield, Lampard opted for Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante, who would have been possibly the hardest working midfield duo in football.
Chelsea’s all-time top scorer selected himself in the attacking midfield position and is flanked by the brilliant Eden Hazard and Arjen Robben.
However, Lampard omitted club legend Didier Drogba in favour of Diego Costa.
“If you ask me the best players and teams over a period of time, Didier Drogba is in there every day of the week,” Lampard said.
“But if we are looking at that first year, Didier played some games, Eidur Gudjohnsen played some games, so for the consistency of this season, I’ll go for Costa.”
You can watch Lampard pick his team here:
